Unbeaten Blazers visit Paul, Clippers

Jan 1, 2012 - 3:44 PM
(Sports Network) - The unbeaten Portland Trail Blazers will try to get things
done on the road for the first time this season when they visit Staples Center
for a New Year's Day affair with Chris Paul and the Clippers.

The Blazers finished up a perfect 3-0 homestand to start the season on
Thursday when Wes Matthews scored 25 points to help Portland take a 111-102
win over Denver at the Rose Garden.

Raymond Felton scored 23 points and added six assists and five rebounds while
Jamal Crawford donated 22 points for the Trail Blazers, who are a win away
from their best start since 1999-2000.

"We need to win tough games and that showed a lot of pride and a lot of heart
among our team tonight," said Felton.

The Clips, who are in the midst of a four-game residency, dropped their home
opener to Chicago on Friday.

In a game between two of the NBA's top point guards, Derrick Rose got the
better of Paul again as the Bulls topped Los Angeles, 114-101. Rose had 29
points, 16 assists and eight rebounds to improve his record against Paul-led
teams to 5-0. The previous four games in which Rose and Paul matched up were
when CP3 was with the Hornets.

Blake Griffin totaled 34 points and 13 rebounds in the game for the Clippers,
who haven't won a home opener since November 2, 2007 when they defeated Golden
State. Paul chipped in 15 points, 14 assists and four steals.

The Clippers were as close as three points early in the fourth until the
Bulls' sizzling shooting took over. Chicago was perfect from beyond the arc
(5-of-5) and at the foul line (10-of-10) in the fourth quarter.

"In the fourth quarter they jumped on us and we had to play catch-up,"
Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro said. "Our defense and rebounds are an issue
now. Derrick is a handful and he hit some tough shots in the fourth. We have a
lot of work to do."

Veteran guard Chauncey Billups missed Friday's game with a sore right groin
and remains doubtful for tonight's contest.

The Blazers have won five straight and nine of their past 10 games with the
Clips.